The Maori: The History and Legacy of New Zealand’s Indigenous People

I like this e-book, The Māori: The History and Legacy of New Zealand’s Indigenous People since it explains the culture and history of the Maori. One issue that I had while reading the other Charles River’s Editor books about New Zealand was why the Maori seem to have an aptitude for trading. The Maori had a concept called “homai o homai” which means a gift for a gift. So whenever the tribal subunits met each other, the visiting group provided a gift to the group being visited creating a sense of reciprocation between the groups. The book indicated that other native groups such as Native Americans and aboriginal societies were usually decimated by diseases brought by the colonizers, but the Maori society started to decline because of the introduction of muskets. The e-book describes the musket wars between the various Maori groups that lasted roughly 40 years. Next, the e-book describes the New Zealand wars which were similar to the traditional British colonial wars which necessitated the pacification of the natives. Several prominent Maori politicians were also described in the e-book. Lastly, the e-book described the participation of the Maori in both world wars. I wish that this e-book had come out before the other two e-books about New Zealand because this book enhanced my understanding of the Maori and why they readily fit into the British naval and trade culture.

I really should have read the reviews before buying this book, if you can even call it that. Other than the small size, the biggest disappointment is how misleading the title of this book is. Calling this "The History and Legacy of New Zealand's Indigenous People" is an insult to history in general and most importantly the Maori People. This book focuses almost completely on European colonialism, and instead of focusing on the true history of Colonialism seems to glorify what was such a violent and destructive endeavor. I bought this book hoping to find something that does the immense history of the Maori people justice but instead was left feeling insulted that someone would even publish it. At one point the author even described Aboriginal Australians as "fleeing into the bush like hares at the first sight of a white man." It wasn't enough to write a book completely void of the true legacy and accomplishments of the Maori People, but Charles River Editions felt it necessary to describe a second Indigenous group in such horrible terms. Don't make the same mistake I did in buying this "book."

This is a concise and very readable summary of Maori involvement in New Zealand which is very timely in view of the debate we should be having about extremist attempts to impose 50/50 Maori/Pakeha co-governance on our country and to change its name to Aotearoa.

I love reading the history of all kinds (people, places, and things) well now I have found another outlet to get my fill! It is so nice to quickly read about times and people and have all of the important bits right at my fingertips. My thanks to Charles River Editors to publishing all these wonderful books. History at it finest and all so quick! History at it finest and all so quick! History at it's finest and all so quick!

I knew almost nothing about the history of NZ. This book gave some good background. It is a quick read and did not go too far in depth regarding any one person or time period. I enjoyed it.

This short book has useful information about the Maori peoples in New Zealand and colonization by the English. Although I would have liked more depth on 20th century developments, it is sufficient information for someone who knew nothing and is planning a trip to New Zealand.

After reading several books set in New Zealand I was interested in find out more about the indigenous people. While this book covers from prehistoric to present, I was hoping for more about the people.This book is short and concise. It is easy reading.

I recently added this book to my Kindle collection before taking a cruise around New Zealand. I learned so much about the Maori from the book and it made all of the cultural experiences so much more meaningful. I especially recommend this book for travelers.

Whilst the content of this pamphlet seems to be good it is important to note that it is not a book (I thought that it was). This is a very thin, magazine style, pamphlet. I must emphasise that the well-written content seems to be quite good although, a few more graphics and images might make it a little more interesting. All in all, quite pleased but - I wish that this had been a book!

This is effectively an essay. We'll written, granted, but short and a little disappointing considering the cover price.

This poorly written book is mislabelled. It is more about Pakeha than about Māori. It is as full of specious claims as it is of typos. It’s hard to believe it ever saw an editor. Sometimes even the sentences appear to be out of order. (One choice typo is the assertion that an original settler ship arrived in Wellington in 19**.)I don’t know who these “editors” are but it says a lot that they don’t put their name to this tendentious pamphlet.

Not even a real book, no page numbers, no title on the back of the book, font size is hilariously large. Would have been still fine but there are multiple errors and misinformations in it as well. Definitely the worst 'book' about Maori/New Zealand history that I have read so far, especially since it is not about Maori history in general like the title suggests but about the history of European interaction with Maori and the implications during the colonial times. Would never buy this again, what a waste of paper.

Like a out of date school book from the 1970's was more about the colonization of these strong and proud people than about the Maori themselves. I counted around 15 pics of the different colonists and 3 of the Indigenous people. Horrible, peice of crap. Would have sent back but under 20 bucks. Don't waste your money or time.